Ireland Case No. 0529Sexual assault, attempted anal rape, oral rape, anal rape · Co. Offaly
Court of Appeal rejects appeal in Offaly child sexual abuse case
Patrick Killally, a 49-year-old man from Edenderry, Co Offaly, was convicted by a jury at the Central Criminal Court in 2023 of three counts of sexual assault of a boy aged six to nine between 1992 and 1996 and 40 counts of sexual assault, attempted anal rape, oral rape and anal rape of a second boy aged 12 to 14 between 2005 and 2007. Mr Justice Paul Burns sentenced him to 12 years in prison with the final year suspended on strict conditions in July 2023. Killally, who does not accept the verdicts, launched an appeal against conviction at the Court of Appeal in July 2026, arguing that evidence of a witness confronting him should not have been heard by the jury. The Court of Appeal, presided over by Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, rejected the appeal in July 2026, finding the evidence highly probative and admissible.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court20 Jun
- Convicted20 Jun
- Sentenced10 Jul
5 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Two boys were sexually abused by Patrick Killally, one aged six to nine and the other aged 12 to 14.
- Where
- Killally is from Killane Drive, Edenderry, Co Offaly.
- When
- The offences against the first boy occurred between 1992 and 1996 when Killally was aged 14 to 18, and against the second boy between 2005 and 2007 when Killally was aged 27 to 30.
- Charges
- Killally was convicted by a jury of three counts of sexual assault of the first boy and 40 counts of sexual assault, attempted anal rape, oral rape and anal rape of the second boy.
- In court
- The trial took place at the Central Criminal Court in Mullingar in 2023.
- Killally launched an appeal against conviction at the Court of Appeal on 9 July 2026, arguing that evidence of a witness confronting him should not have been heard by the jury.
- The Court of Appeal, presided over by Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, rejected the appeal in July 2026, finding the evidence highly probative and admissible.
- Sentence
- Mr Justice Paul Burns sentenced Killally to 12 years in prison with the final year suspended on strict conditions in July 2023.
- Other details
- Killally does not accept the jury's verdicts and has no previous convictions.
- Killally suffers from anxiety, depression and Type 2 diabetes.
- Both boys were warned by Killally not to tell what was happening.
- Investigation
- Detective Garda Joseph Bradley took the first victim's statement at Edenderry Garda Station and gave evidence at the trial.
89 statements extracted from the articles
- whatTwo men described being abused by Patrick Killally, one aged six to nine and the other aged 12 to 14. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatTwo survivors of childhood sexual abuse by an Offaly man gave victim impact statements at the Central Criminal Court. (kildarenow.com)
- whatThe first boy was aged between six and nine at the time. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatKillally was aged between 14 and 18 at the time of the first incident. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatThe second boy was aged between 12 and 14 at the time. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatKillally has no previous convictions. (offalyexpress.ie, leinsterexpress.ie, kildarenow.com, irishmirror.ie)
- whatKillally suffered with anxiety, depression and Type 2 diabetes. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatBoth boys were warned by Killally not to tell what was happening. (offalyexpress.ie, leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatHe was convicted of three counts of sexual assault of the first boy between 1992 and 1996. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatHe was convicted of 40 counts of sexual assault, attempted anal rape, oral rape and anal rape of the second boy between 2005 and 2007. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whereKillally is from Killane Drive, Edenderry, Co Offaly. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whereKillally is of Killane Drive, Edenderry, Co Offaly. (kildarenow.com, offalyexpress.ie)
- whereKillally lives at Killane Drive, Edenderry, Co Offaly. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whenKillally was aged 27 to 30 during the offending against the second boy. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whenThe first boy was sexually abused on one occasion when he was aged between six and nine. (kildarenow.com)
- whenKillally was convicted of 40 counts of sexual offences against a second boy over two years between 2005 and 2007. (kildarenow.com)
- whenThe offences against the first boy happened between 1992 and 1996. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whenThe first boy was aged between six and nine at the time, while Killally was aged between 14 and 18. (longfordleader.ie)
- whenThe second boy was aged between 12 and 14 during the offending, while Killally was 27 to 30. (longfordleader.ie)
- causeBoth boys were warned by Killally not to tell what was happening to them. (offalyexpress.ie, kildarenow.com)
- investigationOne victim gave a statement to Detective Garda Bradley at Edenderry Garda Station. (offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationDetective Garda Joseph Bradley gave evidence for the prosecution. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationDetective Garda Joseph Bradley took the first victim's statement at Edenderry Garda Station. (kildarenow.com)
- investigationDetective Garda Joseph Bradley gave evidence at the trial in 2023. (offalyexpress.ie)
- chargeKillally was convicted by a jury of three counts of sexual assault of the first boy between 1992 and 1996. (offalyexpress.ie)
- chargeKillally was convicted of 40 counts of sexual assault, attempted anal rape, oral rape and anal rape against the second boy between 2005 and 2007. (offalyexpress.ie)
- chargeHe was convicted of three counts of sexual assault of the first boy on a date unknown between 1992 and 1996. (offalyexpress.ie)
- chargeHe was convicted of 40 counts of sexual assault, attempted anal rape, oral rape and anal rape of a second boy between 2005 and 2007. (offalyexpress.ie)
- chargeHe was convicted of three counts of sexual assault of the first boy aged six to nine between 1992 and 1996. (kildarenow.com)
- chargeHe was convicted of 40 counts of sexual assault, attempted anal rape, oral rape and anal rape of a second boy aged 12 to 14 between 2005 and 2007. (kildarenow.com)
- chargeKillally was convicted of three counts of sexual assault of the first boy on a date unknown between 1992 and 1996. (longfordleader.ie)
- chargeKillally was also convicted of 40 counts of sexual assault, attempted anal rape, oral rape and anal rape of a second boy between 2005 and 2007. (longfordleader.ie)
- chargeKillally was convicted of three counts of sexual assault of the first boy between 1992 and 1996 (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeKillally was convicted of 40 counts of sexual assault, attempted anal rape, oral rape and anal rape of another boy between 2005 and 2007 (irishmirror.ie)
- courtKillally has no previous convictions and does not accept the jury's verdicts. (offalyexpress.ie, longfordleader.ie)
- courtThe defence said Killally maintains his innocence and had led a blameless life since the offending. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtKillally was convicted by a jury after a trial in Mullingar earlier in 2023 of three counts of sexual assault of the first boy. (kildarenow.com)
- courtKillally does not accept the jury's verdicts and has no previous convictions. (kildarenow.com)
- courtHe was convicted by a jury following a trial in Mullingar earlier in 2023. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe DPP's view was that the rape case was at the uppermost of the more serious category, indicating a headline sentence of ten to 15 years before mitigation. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtDesmond Dockery SC prosecuted and Colm Smyth SC defended. (offalyexpress.ie, kildarenow.com)
- courtThe trial took place in Mullingar earlier in 2023. (leinsterexpress.ie, kildarenow.com)
- courtMr Justice Paul Burns imposed the sentence. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe DPP submitted a headline sentence of 10 to 15 years before mitigation. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtMr Justice Paul Burns presided over the sentencing. (kildarenow.com)
- courtThe DPP said the rape case was at the uppermost of the more serious category, indicating a headline sentence of 10 to 15 years. (kildarenow.com)
- courtA Central Criminal Court jury convicted Killally of three counts of sexual assault of the first boy. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtKillally was also convicted of 40 counts against a second boy over two years between 2005 and 2007. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe appeal against conviction was launched on Thursday, July 9. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe Court of Appeal reserved judgment to a later date. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtKillally's counsel launched an appeal against conviction before the Court of Appeal. (longfordleader.ie)
- courtKillally's barristers argued that the evidence of the confrontation was more prejudicial than probative. (longfordleader.ie)
- courtThe State argued the confrontation had clear probative value as background evidence. (longfordleader.ie)
- courtThe court reserved judgment on the appeal to a later date. (longfordleader.ie)
- courtThe Court of Appeal rejected Killally's appeal (irishmirror.ie)
- courtMs Justice Isobel Kennedy found the evidence was highly probative and relevant and admissible (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceThe prosecution said the rape case was at the uppermost of the more serious category, indicating a headline sentence of ten to 15 years before mitigation. (offalyexpress.ie)
- sentenceMr Justice Burns remanded Killally in custody and adjourned sentencing until July 10. (offalyexpress.ie, kildarenow.com)
- sentenceThe prosecution said the offending was at the uppermost level of seriousness, indicating a headline sentence of ten to 15 years before mitigation. (kildarenow.com)
- sentenceKillally was jailed for 11 years. (offalyexpress.ie)
- sentenceThe judge imposed concurrent sentences totalling 12 years and suspended the final year on strict conditions. (offalyexpress.ie)
- sentenceKillally was jailed for 11 years effective (12 years with one year suspended). (leinsterexpress.ie)
- sentenceKillally was sentenced to 12 years with the final year suspended on strict conditions. (kildarenow.com)
- sentencePatrick Killally was jailed for 11 years. (offalyexpress.ie)
- sentencePatrick Killally was jailed for 11 years for the sexual abuse of two children. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherThe second man said in his victim impact statement that he had lived with a weight on his shoulders for 18 years. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherOne survivor said he had lived with a weight upon his shoulders for 18 years. (kildarenow.com)
- otherDefence counsel said Killally maintains his innocence and had led a blameless life in the intervening years. (kildarenow.com)
- otherKillally does not accept the jury's verdicts. (offalyexpress.ie, leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherOne victim said he felt suicide was the only option at one point but his plan failed. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherThe defence submitted Killally maintains his innocence and had led a blameless life in the intervening years. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherThe first boy was aged between six and nine at the time of the assault. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherKillally was aged between 14 and 18 during the first offending. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherThe second boy was aged between 12 and 14 during the second offending. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherKillally was aged 27 to 30 during the second offending. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherKillally suffers with anxiety, depression and Type 2 diabetes. (leinsterexpress.ie, kildarenow.com)
- otherOne survivor gave his first statement to Det Gda Bradley at Edenderry Garda Station. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherKillally was aged 14 to 18 during the first offending and 27 to 30 during the second. (kildarenow.com)
- otherOne victim described living with a weight on his shoulders for 18 years and attempted suicide. (kildarenow.com)
- otherThe second victim said he felt suicide was the only option at one point but his plan failed. (kildarenow.com)
- otherThe first boy was aged between six and nine when abused, while Killally was aged between 14 and 18. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherThe second boy was aged between 12 and 14, while Killally was 27 to 30. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherThe judge said the abuse adversely affected each of the men's lives. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherThe judge noted the breach of trust and the protracted abuse of one complainant. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherThe first boy was aged 6 to 9 and Killally was 14 to 18 at the time (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe second boy was aged 12 to 14 and Killally was 27 to 30 during the offending (irishmirror.ie)
- otherKillally does not accept the verdicts of the jury (irishmirror.ie)
- otherA witness confronted Killally after hearing him roaring at another child to come into a bedroom (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe State said the confrontation discredited Killally's claim that he had never been left to babysit the injured party (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 25 Jul2026Court rejects claim jury shouldn’t have heard he ordered child to come to room
Court of Appeal (Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy) rejected Killally's argument that a witness's testimony about him 'roaring' at a child to come to a bedroom should not have been heard by the jury, finding it was 'highly probative' of the prosecution case and closely related to the 'factual matrix.'
convicted, Patrick Killally, 49, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Killallyvictim, malevictim, male - 9 Jul2026Midlands man jailed for sexual abuse of two children disputes evidence
Reports the Court of Appeal hearing of Patrick Killally's appeal against conviction. The appeal argues the jury should not have heard evidence of a confrontation with a third party, and the court reserved judgment. The article gives Killally's address as Edenderry, Co Offaly.
convicted, Patrick Killally, 49, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Killallyvictim, between six and nine at the time, malevictim, between 12 and 14 at the time, male - 9 Jul2026Offaly man jailed for sexual abuse of two children disputes evidence
Reports the appeal against conviction heard at the Court of Appeal on 9 July 2026, with judgment reserved. Offences date from 1992 to 1996 and from 2005 to 2007. Says Killally was jailed for 11 years.
convicted, Patrick Killally, 49, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Killallyvictim, 6 to 9 at the time, malevictim, 12 to 14 at the time, male - 11 Jul2023Edenderry man who sexually abused two children is jailed for 11 years
Reports the sentencing on 10 July 2023: 12 years concurrent with final year suspended; victim impact statements from both survivors; judge's remarks; DPP's submission on headline sentence; defence mitigation including no prior convictions and medical conditions.
convicted, Patrick Killally, 46, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Killallyvictim, malevictim, male - 10 Jul2023Midland child abuser jailed for 11 years
Reports the sentencing hearing, including victim impact statements from both survivors, the judge's remarks, mitigation factors (no previous convictions, anxiety, depression, Type 2 diabetes), and the DPP's submission of a 10–15 year headline sentence.
victim, malevictim, maleconvicted, Patrick Killally, 46, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Killally - 10 Jul2023Offaly man jailed for 11 years for the sexual abuse of two children
Reports the sentencing hearing: 12-year concurrent sentence with final year suspended, victim impact statements from both survivors, the judge's remarks, and the prosecution and defence submissions.
victim, malevictim, maleconvicted, Patrick Killally, 46, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Killally - 20 Jun2023Edenderry sex abuser's victims speak out in Central Criminal Court
Reports the victim impact statements, the court's remand in custody and adjournment of sentencing to July 10, the prosecution's proposed headline sentence, and the defence position that Killally maintains his innocence.
convicted, Patrick Killally, 45, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Killallyvictim, malevictim, male - 20 Jun2023Two survivors speak of trauma of childhood sexual abuse at the hands of Offaly man
Reports the June 2023 Central Criminal Court hearing before sentencing, including victim impact statements, the prosecution's sentencing position and the defence submissions. Sentencing was adjourned until July 10.
convicted, Patrick Killally, 45, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Killallyvictim, 6-9 at the time of the offence, malevictim, 12-14 at the time of the offence, male